Home safe home

SafeKids.org wants home buyers to remember that homes contain an abundance of items that could be dangerous to children. While your home may be a place to relax, play and enjoy spending time with family, it is also may be fraught with possible dangers.

Consider making a list of the dangerous items in your home and then come up with a plan to minimize risk for your kiddos. Make sure all dangerous items are labeled properly and kept out of the reach of children. Here are a few places to start as you put your plan in place:

Water safety

Give young children all of your attention when they are in and around water. Check the water temperature with your wrist or elbow before giving your baby a bath. Never leave a bath tub or sink faucet running (or even the hose in an outdoor play pool) unattended.

Medication safety

Keep all medicine and vitamins out of children’s reach and sight, even medicine you take daily. Write clear instructions for other caregivers about what medicine to give children, when to give it and how much to give.

Fire and carbon monoxide safety

Make sure there is a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home. Test the batteries each month. Create and practice a home fire escape plan with your family. Know two ways out of every room in case of a fire.

Preventing burns

Cook on the back burners of the stove and keep pot handles turned away from the edge. Keep hot foods and liquids away from the edge of counters and tables. Avoid holding a child while cooking on the stove – put your child in a high chair where you can still see them.

Poison prevention

Store all household cleaning products and chemicals in their original containers, out of children’s reach and sight.

Preventing TV and furniture tip-overs

Mount flat-panel TVs to the wall and place large, box-style TVs on a low, stable piece of furniture. Use brackets, braces or wall straps to secure unstable or top-heavy furniture to the wall.

Once your plan is in place, talk with your family about safety considerations in your home. Take a “safety tour” and involve your children, so that they know their safety is your number one priority.